第17章

Whereforethetwomenatonceaddressedthemselvestotheirseriousbusiness。Mr。Desires-awakeputhisropeuponhishead，andMr。

Wet-eyeswentwithhishandswringingtogether。ThensaidthePrince，Andwhatishethatisbecomethycompanioninthissoweightyamatter？SoMr。Desires-awaketoldEmmanuelthatthiswasapoorneighbourofhis，andoneofhismostintimateassociates。

Andhisname，saidhe，mayitpleaseyourmostexcellentMajesty，isWet-eyes，ofthetownofMansoul。Iknowthattherearemanyofthatnamethatarenaught，saidhe；butIhopeitwillbenooffencetomyLordthatIhavebroughtmypoorneighbourwithme。

ThenMr。Wet-eyesfellonhisfacetotheground，andmadethisapologyforhiscomingwithhisneighbourtohisLord:-

’Oh，myLord，’quothhe，’whatIamIknownotmyself，norwhethermynamebefeignedortrue，especiallywhenIbegintothinkwhatsomehavesaid，andthatisthatthisnamewasgivenmebecauseMr。

Repentancewasmyfather。Butgoodmenhavesometimesbadchildren，andthesinceredosometimesbegethypocrites。Mymotheralsocalledmebythisnameofminefrommycradle；butwhethershesaidsobecauseofthemoistnessofmybrain，orbecauseofthesoftnessofmyheart，Icannottell。Iseedirtinmineowntears，andfilthinessinthebottomofmyprayers。ButIprayThee(andallthiswhilethegentlemanwept)thatThouwouldstnotrememberagainstusourtransgressions，nortakeoffenceattheunqualifiednessofThyservants，butmercifullypassbythesinofMansoul，andrefrainfromthemagnifyingofThygracenolonger。’

SoatHisbiddingtheyarose，andbothstoodtremblingbeforeHim。

1。’Hisname，mayitpleaseyourMajesty，isWet-eyes，ofthetownofMansoul。Iknow，atthesametime，thattherearemanyofthatnamethatarenaught。’Naught，thatis，forthisgreatenterprisenowinhand。AndthusitwasthatMr。Desires-awakeinsettingoutforthePrince’spavilionbesoughtthatMr。Wet-eyesmightgowithhim。Mr。Desires-awakefeltkeenlyhowmuchmightturnonwhohiscompanionwasthatday，andthereforehetookMr。Wet-eyeswithhim。DavidwouldhavemadeamostexcellentassociateforMr。

Desires-awakethatday。’Iamwearywithmygroaning；allthenightmakeImybedtoswim；Iwatermycouchwithmytears。’Andagain，’Riversofwatersrundownmineeyes，becausetheykeepnotThylaw。’This，then，wastheonlymannerofmanthatMr。Desires-

awakewouldstakehislifealongsideofthatday。’Ihaveseensomepersonsweepforthelossofsixpence，’saidMr。Desires-

awake，’orforthebreakingofaglass，oratsometriflingaccident。Andtheycannotpretendtohavetheirtearsvaluedatabiggerratethantheywillconfesstheirpassiontobewhentheyweep。Somearevexedforthedirtyingoftheirlinen，orsomesuchtrifle，forwhichtheleastpassionistoobiganexpense。Andthusitisthatamancannottellhisownheartsimplybyhistears，orthetruthofhisrepentancebythoseshortgustsofsorrow。’Well，then，mybrethren，tellme，DoyouthinkthatMr。

Desires-awakewouldhavetakenyouthatdaytothepaviliondoor？

Wouldhisheadhavebeensafewithyouforhisassociate？Yourassociatesseemanygustsinyourheart。Dotheyeverseeyoureyesredbecauseofyoursin？Didyoueverweepsomuchasonegoodtear-dropforpuresin？Onetruetear:notbecauseyoursinshavefoundyouout，butforsecretsinsthatyouknowcanneverfindyououtinthisworld？And，stillbetter，doyoueverweepinsecretplacesnotforsin，butforsinfulness——whichisaverydifferentmatter？DoyoueverweeptoyourselfandtoGodaloneoveryourincurablywickedheart？Ifnot，thenweepforthatwithallyourmight，nightandday。Nomortalmanhassomuchcausetoweepasyouhave。GotoGodonthespot，oneveryspot，andsaywithBishopAndrewes，whoisbothMr。Desires-awakeandMr。Wet-

eyesinone，saywiththatdeepmaninhisPrivateDevotions，say:

’Ineedmoregrief，OGod；Iplainlyneedit。Icansinmuch，butIcannotcorrespondinglyrepent。OLord，givemeamoltenheart。

Givemetears；givemeafountainoftears。Givemethegraceoftears。Dropdown，yeheavens，andbedewthedrynessofmyheart。

Giveme，OLord，thissavinggrace。Nograceofallthegracesweremorewelcometome。IfImaynotwatermycouchwithmytears，norwashThyfeetwithmytears，atleastgivemeoneortwolittletearsthatThoumayestputintoThybottleandwriteinThybook！’Ifyourheartishard，andyoureyesdry，makesomethinglikethatyourcontinualprayer。

2。’Apoor-man，’saidMr。Desires-awake，abouthisassociate。

’Mr。Wet-eyesisapoorman，andamanofabrokenspirit。’’LetOlivertakecomfortinhisdarksorrowsandmelancholies。Thequantityofsorrowhehas，doesitnotmeanwithalthequantityofsympathyhehas，andthequantityoffacultyandofvictoryheshallyethave？Oursorrowistheinvertedimageofournobleness。

Thedepthofourdespairmeasureswhatcapabilityandheightofclaimwehavetohope。Blacksmoke，asofTophet，fillingallyouruniverse，itcanyetbytrueheart-energybecomeflame，andthebrilliancyofheaven。Courage！’

’Thisistheangeloftheearth，Andsheisalwaysweeping。’

3。’Apoorman，andamanofabrokenspirit，andyetonethatcanspeakwelltoapetition。’Yes；andyouwillseehowtruethateulogyofMr。Wet-eyesisifyouwillrunoverinyourmindtheoutstandinginstancesofsuccessfulpetitionersintheScriptures。

AsyoucomedowntheOldandtheNewTestamentsyouwillbeastonishedandencouragedtofindhowprevailingafountainoftearsalwaysiswithGod。Davidwithhisswimmingbed；Jeremiahwithhisheadwaters；MaryMagdaleneoverHisfeetwithherwellingeyes；Peter’sbittercryallhislifelongasoftenasheheardacockcrow，andsoon。Soonthroughamultitudewhosenamesarewritteninheaven，andwhowentuptoheavenallthewaywithinconsolablesorrowbecauseoftheirsins。TheytookwordsandturnedtotheLord；but，——betterthanthebestwords，——theytooktears，orrather，theirtearstookthem。Thebestwords，thewordsthattheHolyGhostHimselfteacheth，iftheyarewithouttears，willavailnothing。Eveninspiredwordswillnotpassthrough；

while，allthetime，tears，meretears，withoutwords，areomnipotentwithGod。WordswearyHim，whiletearsovercomeandcommandHim。HeinhabitsthetearsofIsrael。Therefore，also，now，saiththeLord，turnyeuntoMewithallyourheart，andwithweepingandwithmourning。Andrendyourheart，andnotyourgarments，andturnuntotheLordyourGod，forHeisgraciousandmerciful，slowtoanger，andofgreatkindness，andrepentethHimoftheevil。Itisthesamewithourselves。Tearsmoveus。Tearsmeltus。Wecannotresisttears。Evencounterfeittears，wecannotbesurethattheyarenottrue。AndthatisthemainreasonwhyourLordissogoodatspeakingtoapetition。ItisbecauseHiswholeheart，andallthemovingpassionsofHisheart，areinHisintercessoryoffice。ItisbecauseHestillremembersintheskiesHistears，Hisagonies，andcries。ItisbecauseHeisenteredintotheholiestwithHisowntearsaswellaswithHisownblood。AnditisbecauseHewillremainandabidebeforetheFathertheManofSorrowstillourlastpetitionisanswered，andtillGodhaswipedthelasttearfromoureyes。WhenHewasinthecoastsofCaesarea-Philippi，ourLordfeltagreatcuriositytofindoutwhothepeoplethereaboutstookHimtobe。AnditmusthavetouchedHishearttobetoldthatsomemenhadinsightenoughtoinsistthatHewastheprophetJeremiahcomebackagaintoweepoverJerusalem。HeisElias，saidsome。No；HeisJohntheBaptistrisenfromthedead，saidothers。No，no；saidsomemenwhosawdeeperthantheirneighbours。Hisheadiswaters，andHiseyesareafountainoftears。DoyounotseethatHesooftenescapesintoalodgeinthewildernesstoweepforoursins？No；

HeisneitherJohnnorElijah；HeisJeremiahcomebackagaintoweepoverJerusalem！Andevenanapostle，lookingbackatthebeginningofourLord’spriesthoodonearth，saysthatHewaspreparedforHisofficebyprayersandsupplications，andwithstrongcryingandtears。Fromallthat，then，letuslearnandlaytoheartthatifwewouldhaveonetospeakwelltoourpetitions，theManofSorrowsisthatone。Andthen，asHisremembrancersonourbehalf，letusengageallthoseamongourfriendswhohavethesamegraceoftears。But，aboveall，letusbemenoftearsourselves。ForallthetearsandalltheintercessionsofourgreatHighPriest，andalltheimportuningsofourbestfriendstoboot，willavailusnothingifourowneyesaredry。Letus，then，turnbacktoBishopAndrewes’sprayerforthegraceoftears，andofferiteverynightwithhimtillourhead，likehis，isholywaters，andtill，likehim，wegetbeautyforashes，theoilofjoyformourning，andthegarmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness。

4。’Clearastears’isaPersianproverbwhentheywouldpraisetheirpurestspringwater。ButMr。Wet-eyeshasfromhenceforthspoiledthepointofthatproverbforus。’Isee，’hesaid，’dirtinmineowntears，andfilthinessinthebottomofmyprayers。’

Mr。Wet-eyesishopeless。Mr。Wet-eyesisintolerable。Mr。Wet-

eyeswouldwearyoutthepatienceofasaint。ThereisnosatisfyingorpacifyingoreverpleasingthismorboseMr。Wet-eyes。

Themanisabsolutelyinsufferable。Why，prayersandtearsthatthemostandbestofGod’speoplecannotattaintoarespurnedandspatuponbyMr。Wet-eyes。Themanisbesidehimselfwithhistears。For，tearsthatwouldconsoleandassureusforalongseasonafterthem，hewillweepoverthemaswescarceweepoverourworstsins。Hisclosetalwaysturnsallhiscomelinesstocorruption。Hecomesoutofhisclosetafterallnightinitwithhispsalm-bookwrungtopulp，andwithallhisrighteousnessestorntofilthyrags；tillallmenescapeMr。Wet-eyes’society——allmenexceptMr。Desires-awake。Iwillgooutonyourerrandnow，saidMr。Desires-awake，ifyouwillsendMr。Wet-eyeswithme。Andthusthetwotwinsonsofsorrowforsinandhungerafterholinesswentoutarminarmtothegreatpaviliontogether，Mr。Desires-awakewithhisropeuponhishead，andMr。Wet-eyeswithhishandswringingtogether。ThustheywenttothePrince’spavilion。I

gaveyouaspecimenofoneofMr。Wet-eyes’prayersintheintroductiontothisdiscourse，andyoudidnotdiscovermuchthematterwithit，didyou？Youdidnotdiscovermuchfilthinessinthebottomofthatprayer，didyou？Iamsureyoudidnot。Ah！

butthatisbecauseyouhavenotyetgotMr。Wet-eyes’eyes。Whenyougethiseyes；whenyouturnandemployuponyourselvesanduponyourtearsanduponyourprayershisalways-weteyes，——thenyouwillbegintounderstandandloveandtakesideswiththisinconsolablesoul，andwillchoosehissocietyratherthanthatofanyotherman——asoften，atanyrate，asyougoouttothePrince’spaviliondoor。

5。’Mr。Repentancewasmyfather，butgoodmensometimeshavebadchildren，andthemostsinceredosometimesbegetgreathypocrites。

But，IprayThee，takenotoffenceattheunqualifiednessofThyservant。’Takegoodnoteofthatuncommonexpression，’unqualifiedness，’inMr。Wet-eyes’confession，allofyouwhoareattendingtowhatisbeingsaid。Lay’unqualifiedness’toheart。

Learnhowtoqualifyyourselvesbeforeyoubegintopray。Inhisfinecommentonthe137thPsalm，MatthewHenrydiscoursesdelightfullyonwhathecalls’deliberatetears。’Lookupthatraciestofcommentators，andseewhathetheresaysaboutthedeliberatetearsofthecaptivesinBabylon。ItwasthelackofsufficientdeliberationinhistearsthatcondemnedandalarmedMr。

Wet-eyesthatday。HefeltnowthathehadnotdeliberatedandqualifiedhimselfproperlybeforecomingtothePrince’spavilion。

Donottakeupyourtimeoryourthoughtswithmerecuriosities，eitherinyourBibleorinanyothergoodbook，saysAKempis。

Readsuchthingsratherasmayyieldcompunctiontoyourheart。

Andagain，givethyselftocompunction，andthoushaltgainmuchdevotionthereby。Mr。Wet-eyes，goodandtruesoul，wasafraidthathehadnotqualifiedhimselfenoughbycompunctiousreadingandself-recollection。Thesincere，hesobbedout，dooftenbegethypocrites！’Ourheartsaresodeceitfulinthematterofrepentance，’saysJeremyTaylor，’thatthemastersofthespirituallifearefaintoinventsuppletoryartsandstratagemstosecuretheduty。’Takenotoffenceatthelackofallsuchsuppletoryartsandstratagemsinthyservant，saidpoorWet-eyes。Allwhichwouldmeaninthemostofus:Takenotoffenceatmyrawnessandignoranceinthespirituallife，andespeciallyinthelifeofinwarddevotion。Donotcountupagainstmethenamesandthenumbersandthepricesofmypoems，andplays，andnovels，andnewspapers，andthenthenumberofmydevotionalbooks。Comparenotmyoutlayonmybodyandonthislifewithmyoutlayonmysoulandonthelifetocome。Oh，takenotmortaloffenceattheshamefulandscandalousunqualifiednessofThymiserableservant。

Myfatherandmymotherreadthebooksofthesoul，buttheyhaveleftbehindthemadry-eyedreprobateinme！Saythatto-nightasyoulookaroundonthegrievousfamineofthesuppletoryartsandstratagemsofrepentanceandreformationinyourheathenishbedroom。

Spiritualpreaching；realfacetoface，inward，verifiable，experimental，spiritualpreaching；preachingtoaheartintheagonyofitssanctification；preachingtomenwhosewholelifeisgivenovertomakingthemanewheart——thatkindofpreachingisscarcelyeverheardinourday。Thereisgreatintellectualabilityinthepulpitofourday，greatscholarship，greateloquence，andgreatearnestness，butspiritualpreaching，preachingtothespirit——’wet-eyed’preaching——isalostart。Atthesametime，ifthatlivingartisforthepresentoverlaidandlost，theliteratureofadeeperspiritualdayabidestous，andourspiritually-mindedpeoplearenotconfinedtous，theyarenotdependentonus。Well，thisistheCommunionweekwithusyetoncemore。Willyounot，then，makeitthebeginningofsomeofthesuppletoryartsandstratagemsofthespirituallifewithyourselves？IcannotpreachasIwouldlikeonsuchsubjects，butIcantellyouwhocould，andwho，thoughdead，yetspeakbytheirimmortalbooks。Youhavethewet-eyedpsalms；buttheyarebeyondthedepthofmostpeople。Theirmeaningseemstousonthesurface，andweallreadandsingthem，butletusnotthereforethinkthatweunderstandthem。Icannotcompelyoutoreadthebooks，andtoreadlittleelsebutthebooks，thatwouldintime，andbyGod’sblessing，leadyouintothedepthsofthepsalms；butIcanwashmyhandssofarinmakingtheirnamessomanyhouseholdwordsamongmypeople。TheWaytoChrist，theImitationofChrist，theTheologiaGermanica，Tauler’sSermons，theMortificationofSin，andIndwellingSininBelievers，theSaint’sRest，theHolyLivingandDying，thePrivataSacra，thePrivateDevotions，theSeriousCall，theChristianPerfection，theReligiousAffections，andsuchlike。Allthat，andyoustillunqualified！Allthat，andyoureyesstilldry！

CHAPTERXX——MR。HUMBLETHEJURYMAN，ANDMISSHUMBLE-MINDTHE

SERVANT-MAID

’LearnofMe，forIammeekandlowlyinheart。’——OurLord。

’Beclothedwithhumility。’——Peter。

’God’schiefestsaintsaretheleastintheirowneyes。’——AKempis。

’Withouthumilityallourothervirtuesarebutvices。’——Pascal。

’Humilitydoesnotconsistinhavingaworseopinionofourselvesthanwedeserve。’——Law。

’Humilityliescloseupontheheart，anditstestsareexceedinglydelicateandsubtle。’——Newman。

OurfamiliarEnglishword’humility’comesdowntousfromtheLatinroothumus，whichmeanstheearthortheground。Humility，therefore，isthatinthemindandintheheartofamanwhichislowdowneventotheveryearth。Ahumble-mindedmanmaynothavelearningenoughtoknowtheetymologyofthenamewhichbestdescribeshischaracter，butthedivinenaturewhichisinhimteacheshimtolookdown，towalkmeeklyandsoftly，andtospeakseldom，andalwaysinlove。Forhumility，whileittakesitslowlynamefromearth，allthetimehasitstruenaturefromheaven。

Humilityisfullofallmeekness，modesty，submissiveness，teachableness，senseofinability，senseofunworthiness，senseofill-desert。Till，withthatnewdepthandnewintensitythattheScripturesandreligiousexperiencehavegiventothisword，astosomanyotherwords，humility，inthevocabularyofthespirituallife，hascometobeappliedtothatlowestimateofourselveswhichwecometoformandtoentertainaswearemoreandmoreenlightenedaboutGodandaboutourselves；aboutthemajesty，glory，holiness，beauty，andblessednessofthedivinenature，andaboutourownunspeakableevil，vileness，andmiseryassinners。

And，tillhumilityhascometorankinHolyScripture，andinthelivesanddevotionsofallGod’ssaints，asatoncethedeepestrootandtheripestfruitofallthedivinegracesthatenterinto，and，indeed，constitutethelifeofGodintheheartofman。

Humility，evangelicalhumility，singsEdwardsinhissuperbandseraphicpoemtheReligiousAffections，——evangelicalhumilityisthesensethatthetrueChristianhasofhisownutterinsufficiency，despicableness，andodiousness，asensewhichispeculiartothetruesaint。Buttocompensatethetruesaintforthissightandsenseofhimself，hehasrevealedtohimanaccompanyingsenseoftheabsolutelytranscendentbeautyofthedivinenatureandofalldivinethings；asightandasensethatquiteovercometheheartandchangetoholinessallthedispositionsandinclinationsandaffectionsoftheheart。Theessenceofevangelicalhumility，saysEdwards，consistsinsuchhumilityasbecomesacreatureinhimselfexceedingsinful，butatthesametime，underadispensationofgrace，andthisisthegreatestandmostessentialthinginalltruereligion。

1。Well，then，ourMr。HumblewasajurymaninMansoul，andhisnameandhisnatureeminentlyfittedhimforhisoffice。Ineverwasajuryman；but，ifIwere，IfeelsureIwouldcomehomefromthecourtafarhumblermanthanIwentuptoit。Icannotimaginehowajudgecanremainaproudman，oranadvocate，orawitness，orajuryman，oraspectator，orevenapoliceman。IamneverinacriminalcourtthatIdonottremblewithterrorallthetime。I

saytomyselfallthetime，——therestandsJohnNewtonbutforthepreventinggraceofGod。’IwillnotsitasajudgetotryGeneralBoulanger，becauseIhatehim，’saidM。RenaultintheFrenchSenate。Mr。Humblehimselfcouldnothavemadeabetterspeechtothebenchthanthatwhenhisnamewascalledtobesworn。LetusallrememberJohnNewtonandM。Renaultwhenwewouldbegintowriteortospeakaboutanyarrested，accused，found-outman。Letothermen’sarrests，humiliations，accusations，andsentencesonlymakeussearchwellourownpast，andthatwillmakeuseverhumblerandeverhumblermenourselves；evermorepenitentmen，andevermoreprayerfulmen。

2。AndthenMissHumble-mind，hisonlydaughter，wasaservant-

maid。Thereisnoofficesohumblebutthatahumblemindwillnotputonstillmorehumilityinit。Whatalessoninhumility，notPeteronlygotthatnightintheupperroom，butthathappyservant-maidalsowhobroughtinthebasonandthetowel。Wouldsheeverafterthatnightgrumbleandgiveupherplaceinapassionbecauseshehadbeenaskedtodowhatwasbeneathhertodo？Wouldsheeverleavethathouseforanywages？Wouldsheeverseethatbasonwithoutkissingit？Wouldthattowelnotbeaholythingeverafterinherproudeyes？Howhappythathousewouldeverafterthatnightbe，notsomuchbecausetheLord’sSupperhadbeeninstitutedinit，asbecauseaservantwasinitwhohadlearnedhumilityasshewentaboutthehousethatnight。Letallourservantsholduptheirheadsandmagnifytheiroffice。TheirMasterwasonceaservant，andHeleftusall，andallservantsespecially，anexamplethattheyshouldfollowinHissteps。

Peter，whosefeetwerewashedthatnight，neverforgotthatnight，andhiswarmheartalwayswarmedtoaservantwhenhesawherwithherbasonandhertowels，tillhegaveherhalfachaptertoherselfinhissplendidFirstEpistle。’Servants，besubject，’hesaid，tillhisargumentrosetoaheightabovewhichnotevenPaulhimselfeverrose。Servant-maids，youmustallhaveyourownhalf-

chapteroutofFirstPeterbyheart。

3。ButIhaveasmanystudentsofonekindorotherhereto-nightasIhavemaid-servants，andtheywillrememberwhereagreatstudenthassaidthatknowledgewithoutlovebutpuffethastudentup。Now，thebestknowledgeforusall，andespeciallysoforastudent，istoknowhimself:hisownignorance，hisownfoolishness，hisblindnessofmind，and，especially，hiscorruptionofheart。Forthatknowledgewillbothkeephimfrombeingpuffedupwithwhathealreadyknows，anditwillalsoputhimandkeephiminthewayofknowingmore。Self-knowledgewillincreasehumility，andallthepastmastersbothofscienceandofreligionwilltellhimthathumilityisthecertainnoteofthetruestudent。YouwhoarestudentsallknowTheAdvancementofLearning，justastheservantssittingbesideyouallknowthesecondchapterofFirstPeter。Well，yourmasterVerulamtheretellsyou，andindeedoneverypageofhis，thatitisonlytoahumble，waiting，childliketemperthatnature，likegrace，willeverrevealuphersecrets。’Thereissmallchanceoftruthatthegoalwhenthereisnotachildlikehumilityatthestarting-post。’

Well，then，allyoustudentswhowouldfaingettothegoalofscience，maketheChurchofChristyourstarting-post。ComefirstandcomecontinuallytotheChristianschooltolearnhumility，andthen，aslongasyourtalents，youryears，andyouropportunitiesholdout，bothtruthandgoodnesswillopenuptoyouateverystep。Everystepwillbeagoal，andateverygoalanewstepwillopenup。AndGod’ssmileandGod’sblessing，andallgoodmen’sloveandhonourandapplausewillsupportandrewardyouinyourrace。And，humble-mindedtothetruthherself，be，atthesametime，humble-mindedtowardallwholikeyourselfareseekingtoknowandtodothetruth。Alatelydeceasedstudentofnaturewasapatterntoallstudentsaslongashewaitedontruthinhislaboratory；andevenaslongasheremainedathisdesktotelltheworldwhatheandotherstudentshaddiscoveredintheirsearch。

Butwhenanyotherstudentinhissearchaftertruthwascompelledtocrossthathither-tosoexemplarystudent，heimmediatelybecameasinsolentasifhehadbeenthegreatestboorinthecountry。

Till，ashespatoutscornatallwhodifferedfromhimwealwaysrememberedthisinAKempis——’Surely，anhumblehusbandmanthatservethGodisbetterthanaproudphilosopherthat，neglectinghimself，labourethtounderstandthecourseoftheheavens。Itisgreatwisdomandperfectiontoesteemnothingofourselves，andtothinkalwayswellandhighlyofothers。’Studentsofarts，studentsofphilosophy，studentsoflaw，studentsofmedicine，andespecially，studentsofdivinity，behumblemen。Labourinhumilityevenmorethaninyourspecialscience。Humilitywilladvanceyouinyourspecialscience；while，allthetime，andattheendoftime，shewillbemoretoyouthanalltheothersciencestakentogether。AndsinceIhavespokenofAKempis，takethismottoforallyourlifeoutofAKempis，asthegreatandgoodFenelondid，anditwillguideyoutothegoal:Amanesciaetpronihiloreputari。

4。Butofallthemeninthewholeworlditisministerswhoshouldsimply，asPetersays，beclothedwithhumility，andthatfromheadtofoot。And，firstasdivinitystudents，andthenaspastorsandpreachers，wewhoareministershaveadvantagesandopportunitiesinthisrespectquitepeculiarandprivatetoourselves。For，whileotherstudentsarespendingtheirdaysandtheirnightsontheancientclassicsofGreeceandRome，thestudentwhoistobeaministerisburiedinthePsalms，intheGospels，andintheEpistles。Whilethestudentoflawisdeepinhiscommentariesandhiscases，thestudentofdivinityisdeepinthestudyofexperimentalreligion。Andwhilethemedicalstudentisfullofthediseasesofanimalsandofmen，thetheologicalstudentisabsorbedintheholinessofthedivinenature，andintheplagueofthehumanheart，and，especially，heisdrowneddeepereverydayinhisown。Andhewhohasbegunacurriculumlikethatandisnotalreadyputtingonahumilitybeyondallothermenhadbetterlosenomoretime，butturnhimselfatoncetosomeotherwayofmakinghisbread。ThewordofGodandhisownheart，——

yes；whatasureschoolofevangelicalhumilitytoeveryevangelically-mindedstudentisthat！And，then，afterthat，andallhisdays，hiscongregationalcommunion-rollandhisvisiting-

book。LetnoministerwhowouldbefoundofGodclothedandcanopiedoverwithhumilityeverlosesightofhiscommunion-rollandpastoralvisitation-book。Idefyanyministertokeepthoserecordsalwaysopenbeforehimandyetremainaproudman，aself-

respecting，self-satisfied，self-righteousman。For，whatsecrethistoriesofhisownfolly，neglect，rashness，offensiveness，hot-

headedness，self-seeking，self-pleasingvanity，nowpuffedupoveroneman，nowcastdownandfullofgloomoveranother，whatself-

flatteryhere，andwhatresentmentandretaliationthere；andsoon，asonlyhisowneyesandhisDivineMaster’seyecanreadbetweeneverydiaryline。WhatshamewillcoverthatministeraswithamantlewhenhethinkswhattheChristianministrymightbemade，andthentakeshometohimselfwhathehasmadeit！Letanyministershuthimselfinwithhiscommunion-rollandhisvisiting-

bookbeforeeachreturningcommunionseason，andtherewillbeoneworthycommunicantatleastinthecongregation:onewhowillhavelittleappetiteallthatweekforanyotherfoodbutthebrokenBodyandtheshedBloodofhisRedeemer。Buttheseareprofessionalmattersthattheoutsideworldhasnothingtodowithandwouldnotunderstand。Only，letallyoungmenwhowouldhaveevangelicalhumilityabsolutelysecuredandsealedtothem，——letthemcomeandbeministers。Justasallyoungmenwhowouldhaveanysatisfactioninlife，anysenseofworkwelldoneandworthyofreward，anytasteofagoalattainedandanoldageearned，letthemtaketoanythinginallthisworldbuttheevangelicalpulpitanditsaccompanyingpastorate。

5。Buthumilityisnotagraceofthepulpitandthepastorateonly。ItisnotthosewhoareseparatedbytheHolyGhosttostudythewordofGodandtheirownheartsalltheirlifelongonly，whoarecalledtoputonhumility。Allmenarecalledtothatgrace。

ThereisnoacceptancewithGodforanymanwithoutthatgrace。

ThereisnoapproachtoGodforanymanwithoutit。Allsalvationbeginsandendsinit。Wouldyou，then，fainpossessit？Wouldyou，then，fainattaintoit？Thenlettherebenomysteryandnomistakemadeaboutit。WouldanymanherefaingetdowntothatdeepvalleywhereGod’ssaintswalkinthesweetshadeandliedowningreenpastures？Well，Iwarranthimthatjustbeforehim，andalreadyunderhiseye，thereisaflightofstepscutinthehill，whichsteps，ifhewilltakethem，will，stepafterstep，takehimalsodowntothatbottom。Thewholefaceofthissteepandslipperyworldissculptureddeepwithsuchsubmissivesteps。

Indeed，whenaman’seyesareonceturneddowntothatvalley，thereisnothingtobeseenanywhereinallthisworldbutdownwardsteps。Lookwhicheverwayyouwill，theregleamsoutuponyouyetanotherdescendingstair。Lookbackatthewayyoucameup。Buttakecarelestthesightturnsyoudizzy。Lookatanyspotyouoncecrossedonyourwayup，and，lo！everyfoot-printofyourshasbecomeadescendingstep。Yousinkdownasyoulook，brokendownwithshameandwithhorrorandwithremorse。Therearepeople，somestillleftinthisworld，andsomegonetotheotherworld，peoplewhomyoudarenotthinkoflestyoushouldturnsickandloseholdandhope。Thereareplacesyoudarenotvisit:therearescenesyoudarenotrecall。Luciferhimselfwouldbeahumbleangelwithhiswingsoverhisfaceifhehadapastlikeyours，andwouldoftenenoughreturntolookatit。And，then，notthepastonly，butatthispresentmomenttherearepeopleandthingsplacedclosebesideyou，andkeptclosebesideyou，andyouclosebesidethem，ondivinepurposejusttogiveyoucontinualoccasionandofferedopportunitytopractisehumility。Theyarekeptclosebesideyoujustonpurposetohumiliateyou，tocutoutyourdescendingsteps，tolendyoutheirhand，andtosaytoyou:Keepnearus。Onlykeepyoureyeonus，andwewillseeyoudown！Andthen，ifyouareresoluteenoughtolookwithin，ifyouareabletokeepyoureyeonwhatgoesoninyourownheartlikeheart——beats，then，already，Iknowwhereyouare。Youareunderallmen’sfeet。

Youareashamedtoliftupyoureyestomeetothermen’seyes。Youdarenottaketheirhonesthands。YoucouldtellEdwardshimselfthingsabouthumiliationnowthatwouldmakehisterriblysearchingandhumblingbookquitetameandtasteless。

Come，then，Ohigh-mindedman，besane，bewise。Ifyouwereuponagiddyheight，andbegantoseethatcertaindeathwasstraightandsoonbeforeyou，whatwouldyoudo？Youknowwhatyouwoulddo。Youwouldlookwithallyoureyesforsuchstepsaswouldtakeyousafestdowntothesolidground。Youwouldwelcomeanyhandstretchedouttohelpyou。Youwouldbemostattentiveandmostobedientandmostthankfultoanyonewhowouldassureyouthatthisistherightwaydown。Andyouwouldkeeponsayingtoyourself——OnceIwerewelldown，nomanshallseemeuphereagain。

Well，mybrethren，humiliation，humility，istobelearnedjustinthesameway，anditistobelearnedinnootherway。Hewhowouldbedownmustjustcomedown。Thatisall。Astepdown，andanotherstepdown，andanother，andanother，andalreadyyouarewelldown。Ahumbleactdoneto-day，ahumblewordspokento-

morrow；humiliationafterhumiliationacceptedeverydaythatyouwouldatonetimehavespurnedfromyouwithpassion；andthenyourownvile，hateful，unbearableheart-allthatisordainedofGodtobringyoudown，downtothedust；andthislast，yourownheart，willbringyoudowntotheverydepthsofhell。Andthus，afterallyourotheropportunitiesandordinancesofhumilityareembracedandexhausted，thentheplunges，thedepths，theabyssesofhumilitythatGodwillopenupinyourownheartwillallworkinyouameetnessforheavenandaripenessforitsglory，thatshallforeverrewardyouforallthatdegradationandshameandself-despairwhichhavebeentoyouthesurewayandtheonlywaytoeverlastinglife。

CHAPTERXXI——MASTERTHINK-WELL，THELATEANDONLYSONOFOLDMR。

MEDITATION

’Ashethinkethinhisheart，soishe。’——AProverb。

ItwasatrulydelightfulsighttoseeoldMr。Meditationandhisonlyson，ourlittleThink-well，outamongthewoodsandhedgerowsofasummerafternoon。LittleThink-wellwasthesonofhisfather’soldage。Thatdrytreeusedtosaytohimselfthatifeverhewasintrustedwithasonofhisown，hewouldmakehissonhismostconstantandhismostconfidentialcompanionallhisdays。

Andsohedid。TheeleventhofDeuteronomyhadbecomeagreaterandgreatertexttothatchildlessmanashepassedthemid-timeofhisdays。’Therefore，’heusedtosaytohimself，ashewalkedabroadalone，andasothermenpassedhimwiththeirchildrenattheirside——’Thereforeyeshallteachthemtoyourchildren，speakingofthemwhenthousittestinthinehouse，andwhenthouwalkestbytheway，whenthouliestdownandwhenthourisestup。

Andthoushaltwritethemuponthedoorpostsofthinehouseanduponthygates。’Andthusitwasthat，asthelittleladgrewup，therewasnodayofalltheseventhathesomuchnumberedandwaitedforaswasthatsacreddayonwhichhisfatherwasfreetotakelittleThink-wellbythehandandleadhimouttotalktohim。

’No，’saidanEdinburghboytohismothertheotherday——’No，mother，’hesaid，’IhavenolikingfortheseSundaypaperswiththeirpoorstoriesandtheirpictures。IamtoreadtheBiblestoriesandtheBiblebiographiesfirst。’Heisnotmyboy。I

wishmyboyswerealllikehim。’AndPlutarchonweek-daysforsuchaboy，’Isaidtohismother。HowtokeepadecentshredoftheoldsanctificationonthemodernSabbath-dayistheanxiousinquiryofmanyfathersandmothersamongus。Myfriendwithhermanly-mindedboy，andMr。MeditationwithlittleThink-wellhadnotroubleinthatmatter。

’AndonceIsaid，AsIremember，lookingrounduponthoserocksAndhillsonwhichweallofuswereborn，ThatGodwhomadetheGreatBookoftheworldWouldblesssuchpiety；——

NeverdidworthierladsbreakEnglishbread:

ThefinestSundaythattheautumnsaw，Withallitsmealyclustersofripenuts，Couldneverkeepthoseboysawayfromchurch，OrtemptthemtoanhourofSabbathbreach，LeonardandJames！’

Think-wellandthatmother’sson。

OldMr。Meditation，thefather，wassprungofapoorbuthonestandindustriousstockinthecity。Hehadnothadmanytalentsoropportunitiestobeginwith，buthehadmadetheverybestofthetwohehad。Andthen，whenthetwoestatesofMr。Fritter-dayandMr。Let-good-slipweresequesteredtothecrown，theadvisersofthecrownhandedoverthosetwoneglectedestatestoMr。Meditationtoimprovethemforthecommongood，andafterhimtohisson，whosenameweknow。ThestepsofagoodmanareorderedoftheLord，andHedelightethinhisway。Ihavebeenyoungandnowamold；yethaveInotseentherighteousforsaken，norhisseedbeggingbread。

Now，thisThink-welloldMr。MeditationhadbyMrs。Piety，andshewasthedaughteroftheoldRecorder。’IamThyservant，’saidMrs。Piety’ssononoccasionallhisdays——’IamThyservantandthesonofThinehandmaid。’AndatthatsodutifulacknowledgmentofhisalongprocessionoftheservantsofGodpassupbeforeoureyeswiththeirsaintedmothersleaningonthearmsoftheirgreatsons。ThePsalmistandhismother，theBaptistandhismother，ourLordandHismother，theauthoroftheFourthGospelandhismother，Paul’ssonandsuccessorinthegospelandhismotherandgrandmother，theauthorofTheConfessionsandhismother；and，inthisnobleconnection，IalwaysthinkofHalyburtonandhisgoodmother。Andinthisennoblingconnectionyouwillallthinkofyourownmotheralso，andbeforewegoanyfurtheryouwillallsay，Ialso，OLord，amThyservantandthesonofThinehandmaid。

’Fathersandmothershandlechildrendifferently，’saysJeremyTaylor。AndthenthatprincelyteacheroftheChurchofChristCatholicgoesontotellushowMrs。PietyhandledherlittleThink-wellwhichshehadbornetoMr。Meditation。Afterotherthings，shesaidthiseverynightbeforeshetooksleeptohertiredeyelids，this:’Ohgivemegracetobringhimup。OhmayI

alwaysinstructhimwithdiligenceandmeekness；governhimwithprudenceandholiness；leadhiminthepathsofreligionandjustice；neverprovokinghimtowrath，neverindulginghiminfolly，andneverconnivingatanunworthyaction。Ohsanctifyhiminhisbody，soul，andspirit。LetallhisthoughtsbepureandholytotheSearcherofhearts；lethiswordsbetrueandprudentbeforemen；andmayhehavetheportionofthemeekandthehumbleintheworldtocome，andallthroughJesusChristourLord！’Howcouldasongetpastafatherandamotherlikethat？Evenif，foraseason，hehadgotpastthem，hewouldbesuretocomeback。

Only，theiryoungThink-wellneverdidgetpasthisfatherandhismother。

Therewasnotsomuchwordofheredityinhisday；butwithoutsomuchofthewordyoungThink-wellhadthewholeofthething。Andastimewenton，andthechildbecamemoreandmorethefatheroftheman，itwasseenandspokenofbyalltheneighbourswhoknewthehouse，howthattheironlychildhadinheritedallhisfather’shead，andallhismother’sheart，andthenthathehadrevertedtohismaternalgrandfatherinhissokeenandquicksenseofrightandwrong。Allwhich，underwhatevernameitwasheld，wasamostexcellentoutfitforouryounggentleman。Hisoldfather，goodnaturalheadandall，hadnexttonobook-learning。Hehadonlytwoorthreebooksthathereadahundredtimesovertillhehadthembyheart。Andashesighedoverhisunletteredlothealwaysconsoledhimselfwithasayinghehadoncegotoutofoneofhisoldbooks。Thesayingofsomegreatauthoritywastothiseffect，that’anoldandsimplewoman，ifshelovesJesus，maybegreaterthanourgreatbrotherBonaventure。’HedidnotknowwhoBonaventurewas，buthealwaysgotareproofagainoutofhisname。

Think-well，tohisfather’simmensedelight，wasaverymethodicallittlefellow，andhisfatherandhehadorderlylittlesecretsthattheytoldtonone。Littlesecretplansastowhattheyweretoreadabout，andthinkabout，andprayaboutoncertaindaysoftheweekandatcertainhoursofthedayandthenight。Youmustnotcallthefatheranoldpedant，forthefactis，itwasthesonwhowasthepedantiftherewasoneinthathappyhouse。Thetwointimatefriendshadawordbetweenthemtheycalledagenda。Andnobodybutthemselvesknewwheretheyhadborrowedthatuncouthword，whatlanguageitwas，orwhatitmeant。Onlyintheoldman’statteredpocket-booktherewerethingslikethisfoundbyhisministerafterhisdeath。Indeed，inamuseumofsuchrelicsthisisstilltobereadunderaglasscase，andinoldMr。Meditation’sramshacklehand:’Monday，death；Tuesday，judgment；Wednesday，heaven；Thursday，hell；Friday，mypastlifebacktomyyouth；

Saturday，thepassionofmySaviour；Lord’sday，creation，salvation，andmyown——M。’Andthen，onanutterlyillegiblepage，this:’Jesus，ThylifeandThywordsareaperpetualsermontome。ImeditateonTheealltheday。Makemymemoryavesselofelection。Letallmythoughtsbeplain，honest，pious，simple，prudent，andcharitable，tillThouartpleasedtodrawthecurtainandletmeseeThyself，OEternalJesu！’IfIhadtimeIcouldtellyoumoreaboutThink-well’squaintoldfather。Buttheabovemaybebetterthannothingabouttherareoldgentleman。

Agreatauthorityhassaid——twogreatauthoritieshavesaidintheirenigmaticway，thata’drylightiseverthebest。’Thatmaybesoinsomecasesandtosomeuses，butnothingcanbemoresurethanthis，thatthelightthatlittleThink-wellgotfromhisfather’sheadwasexcellentlydrenchedinhismother’sheart。Thesweetmoistureofhismother’sheartmixedupbeautifullywithhisfather’sdrierheadandmadeafinecombinationintheironeboyasitturnedout。Herminister，preachingononeoccasiononmytextforto-night，hadsaid——andshehadsuchamemoryforasermonthatshehadneverforgottenit，buthadlaiditupinherheartonthespot——’Asthephilosopher’sstone，’theold-fashionedpreacherhadsaid，’turnsallmetalsintogold，asthebeesuckshoneyoutofeveryflower，andasthegoodstomachsucksoutsomesweetandwholesomenourishmentoutofwhateverittakesintoitself，sodothaholyheart，sofarassanctified，convertanddigestallthingsintospiritualandusefulthoughts。ThisyoumayseeinPsalmcvii。43。’Andinherplain，silent，hidden，motherlywayMistressPietyadornedheroldminister’sdoctrineoftheholyheartthathewasalwayspreachingabout，tillshesharedhersoftandholyheartwithherson，ashisfatherhadsharedhisclearanddeep，iftoounlearned，head。

WehaveonegrandmotheratleastsignalisedintheBible；butnograndfather，sofarasIremember。ButamendsaremadeforthatintheHolyWar。ForThink-wellwouldneverhavebeenthemanhebecamehaditnotbeenfortheoldRecorder，hisgrandfatheronhismother’sside。SomesuperficialpeoplesaidthattherewastoomuchseverityintheoldRecorder；buthisgrandsonwhoknewhimbest，neversaidthat。Hewasthebestofmen，hisgrandsonusedtostandupforhim，andsay，IshallneverforgetthedebtIowehim。Itwashewhotaughtmefirsttomakeconscienceofmythoughts。Indeed，asformysecretthoughts，Ihadtakennonoticeofthemtillthatsummerafternoonwalkhomefromchurch，whenwesatdownamongthebushesandheshowedmeonthespottheway。

AndIcansaytohismemorythatscarceforonewakinghourhaveI

anydayforgottenthelesson。Thelessonhowtomakeaconscience，ashesaid，ofallmythoughtsaboutmyselfandaboutallmyneighbours。Such，then，wereThink-well’smoreimmediateancestors，andsuchwastheinheritancethattheyalltakentogetherhadlefthim。

Think-well！Think-well！Mybrethren，whatdoyouthink，whatdoyousay，asyouhearthatfinename？IwilltellyouwhatIthinkandsay。IfIovercome，andhavethatwhitestonegiventome，andinthatstoneanewnamewrittenwhichnomanshallknowsavinghethatreceivethit；andifitwereaskedmehereto-nightwhatI

wouldlikemynewnametobe，Iwouldsayonthespot，LetitbeTHINK-WELL！LetmynewnameamongthesavedandthesanctifiedbeforethethronebeTHINK-WELL！As，OGod，itwillbethebottomlesspittome，ifIamforsakenofTheeforevertomyevilthoughts。Senddownandpreventit。StirupallThystrengthandgivecommandmenttopreventit。DoThoupreventit。For，afterI

havedoneall，——afterIhavemadeallmyovertactsblameless，afterIhavetamedmytonguewhichnomancantame——allthatonlythemorethrowsmythoughtsintoaverydevil’sgarden，athicketofhell，asecretswampofsintotheuttermost。How，then，amI

evertoattaintothatwhitestoneandthatshiningname？Andthatinaworldofsuchtruththateveryman’snameandtitlethereshallbeastrictandtrueandentirelyaccurateandadequatedescriptionandexpositionoftheverythoughtsandintentsandimaginationsofhisheart？HowshallI，howshallyou，mybrethren，everhave’Think-well’writtenonourforehead？——Well，withGodallthingsarepossible。WithGod，withamuchmeditatingmind，andatrueandhumbleandtenderheart，andapureconscience，aconsciencevoidofoffence，workingtogetherwithHim——He，withalltheseinheritancesandalltheseenvironmentsworkingtogetherwithHim，willatlastenableus，youandme，toliftupsuchaclearandtransparentforehead。Butnotwithoutourconstantworkingtogether。Wemustourselvesmakehead，andheart，and，especially，conscienceofallourthoughts——foralonglifetimewemustdothat。TheDuctorDubitantiumhasadeepchapteron’TheThinkingConscience。’Andwhatareprooftomanyofusliesinthemerename！Forhowmuchevil-thinkingandevil-

speakingwehaveallbeenguiltyofthroughourunthinkingconscienceandthroughazealforGod，butazealwithoutknowledge。LookbackatthehistoryoftheChurchandsee；lookbackatyourownhistoryintheChurchandsee。Yes，makeconscienceofyourthoughts:butletitfirstbeaninstructedconscience，athinkingconscience，aconsciencefullofthebestandtheclearestlight。Andthenletusalsomakeourselvesanewheartandanewspirit，asEzekielhasit。Forourheartsarecontinuallypervertingandpollutingandpoisoningourthoughts。

Thatisafearfulthingthatissaidaboutthemenonwhomthefloodsooncame。Yourememberwhatissaidaboutthem，andinexplanationandjustificationoftheflood。Godsaw，itissaid，thateveryimaginationofthethoughtsoftheirheartswasevil，andonlyevilcontinually。Fearful！Farmorefearfulthantenfloods！OGod，Thouseestus。AndThouseestalltheimaginationsofthethoughtsofourhearts。Ohgiveusallamindandaheartandaconsciencetothinkofnothing，tofearnothing，towatchandtoprayaboutnothingcomparedwithourthoughts。’Asformysecretthoughts，’saystheauthoroftheHolyWarandthecreatorofMasterThink-well——’Asformysecretthoughts，Ipaidnoattentiontothem。IneverknewIhadthem。Ihadnopain，orshame，orguilt，orhorror，ordespaironaccountofthemtillJohnGiffordtookmeandshowedmetheway。’AndthenwhenJohnBunyan，beingthemanofgeniushewas，——assoonashebegantoattendtohisownsecretthoughts，thenthefirstfaintoutlineofthisfineportraitofThink-wellbegantoshineoutonthescreenofthisgreatartist’simagination，andfromthatsanctifiedscreenthisfineportraitofThink-wellandhisfamilyhasshinedintoourheartsto-night。

CHAPTERXXII——MR。GOD’S-PEACE，AGOODLYPERSON，ANDASWEET-NATURED

GENTLEMAN

’LetthepeaceofGodruleinyourhearts，——thepeaceofGodthatpassethallunderstanding。’——Paul。

JohnBunyanisalwaysathisverybestinallegory。InsomeotherdepartmentsofworkJohnBunyanhashadmanysuperiors；butwhenhelaysdownhisheadonhishandandbeginstodream，asweseehiminsomeoftheoldwoodcuts，thenheisalone；thereisnoonenearhim。WehavenotafewgreaterdivinesinpuredivinitythanJohnBunyan。WehavesomefarbetterexpositorsofScripturethanJohnBunyan，andwehavesomefarbetterpreachers。JohnBunyanathisbestcannotopenupadeepScripturelikethatprinceofexpositors，ThomasGoodwin。JohnBunyaninallhisbookshasnothingtocompareforintellectualstrengthandfortheologicalgraspwithGoodwin’schapteronthepeaceofGod，inhissixthbookinTheWorkoftheHolyGhost。JohnBunyancannotsetforthdivinetruthinanorderlymethodandinabuilt-upbodylikeJohnOwen。

HecannotPlatonizedivinetruthlikehisPuritancontemporary，JohnHowe。HecannotsoarhighasheaveninthebeautyandthesweetnessofgospelholinesslikeJonathanEdwards。HehasnothingofthephilosophicaldepthofRichardHooker，andhehasnothingofthevastlearningofJeremyTaylor。ButwhenJohnBunyan’smindandheartbegintoworkthroughhisimagination，then-

’Hislanguageisnotours。

’TismybeliefGodspeaks；notinkerhathsuchpowers。’

1。Inthebeginningofhischapteron’Speakingpeace，’ThomasGoodwintellshisreaderthatheisgoingtofullycouchallhisintendmentsunderametaphorandanallegory。ButGoodwin’sreaderhasreadandre-readthegreatchapter，andhasnotyetdiscoveredwherethemetaphorandtheallegorycameinandwheretheywentout。ButBunyandoesnotneedtoadvertisehisreaderthatheisgoingtocouchhisteachinginhisimagination。

’Buthavingnowmymethodbytheend，Still，asIpulleditcame:andsoIpennedItdown；untilatlastitcametobeForlengthandbreadththebignessthatyousee。’

TheBlessedPrince，hebegins，didalsoordainanewofficerinthetown，andagoodlypersonhewas。HisnamewasMr。God’s-peace。

ThismanwassetovermyLordWill-be-will，myLordMayor，Mr。

Recorder，thesubordinatepreacher，Mr。Mind，andoverallthenativesofthetownofMansoul。Himselfwasnotanativeofthetown，butcamewiththePrincefromthecourtabove。HewasagreatacquaintanceofCaptainCredenceandCaptainGood-hope；somesaytheywerekin，andIamofthatopiniontoo。Thisman，asI

said，wasmadegovernorofthetowningeneral，especiallyoverthecastle，andCaptainCredencewastohelphimthere。AndImadegreatobservationofit，thatsolongasallthingswentinthetownasthissweet-naturedgentlemanwouldhavethemgo，thetownwasinamosthappycondition。Nowtherewerenojars，nochiding，nointerferings，nounfaithfuldoingsinallthetown；everymaninMansoulkeptclosetohisownemployment。Thegentry，theofficers，thesoldiers，andallinplace，observedtheirorder。

Andasforthewomenandthechildrenofthetown，theyfollowedtheirbusinessjoyfully。Theywouldworkandsing，workandsing，frommorningtillnight；sothatquitethroughthetownofMansoulnownothingwastobefoundbutharmony，quietness，joy，andhealth。Andthislastedallthesummer。IshallstepasideatthispointandshallletJonathanEdwardscommentonthissweet-

naturedgentlemanandhisheavenlyname。’God’speacehasanexquisitesweetness，’saysEdwards。’Itisexquisitelysweetbecauseithassofirmafoundationontheeverlastingrock。Itissweetalsobecauseitissoperfectlyagreeabletoreason。Itissweetalsobecauseitrisethfromholyanddivineprinciples，which，astheyarethevirtue，soaretheytheproperhappinessofman。Thispeaceisexquisitelysweetalsobecauseofthegreatnessofthegoodthatthesaintsenjoy，beingnootherthantheinfinitebountyandfulnessofthatGodwhoistheFountainofallgood。Itissweetalsobecauseitshallbeenjoyedtoperfectionhereafter。’

Anenthusiasticstudenthascountedupthenumberoftimesthatthisdivineword’sweetness’occursinEdwards，andhasprovedthatnootherwordofthekindoccurssooftenintheauthorofTrueVirtueandTheReligiousAffections。AndIcanwellbelieveit；

unlessthe’beautyofholiness’runsitclose。Still，thissweet-

naturedgentlemanwillcontinuetoliveforusinhisgovernmentandjurisdictioninMansoulandinJohnBunyanevenmorethaninJonathanEdwards。

2。’NowMr。God’s-peace，thenewGovernorofMansoul，wasnotanativeofthetown；hecamedownwithhisPrincefromthecourtabove。’’Hewasnotanative’——letthatattributeofhisbewritteninlettersofgoldoneverygateanddoorandwallwithinhisjurisdiction。Whenyouneedthegovernorandwouldseekhimatanytimeorinanyplaceinallthetownandcannotfindhim，recollectyourselfwherehecamefrom:hemayhavereturnedthitheragain。JohnBunyanhascouchedhisdeepestinstructiontoyouinthatsinglesentenceinwhichhesays，’Mr。God’s-peacewasnotanativeofthetown。’JohnBunyanhasgatheredupmanygospelScripturesintothatsingleallegoricalsentence。Hehasmademanyoldandfamiliarpassagesfreshandfulloflifeagaininthatonemetaphoricalsentence。Itistheworkofgeniustosetforththewontandthewellknowninaclear，simple，andatthesametimesurprising，lightlikethat。ThereisapeacethatisnativeandnaturaltothetownofMansoul，andtounderstandthatpeace，itsnature，itsgrounds，itsextent，anditsrange，ismostimportanttothetheologianandtothesaint。ButtounderstandthepeaceofGod，thatsupremepeace，thepeacethatpassethallunderstanding，——

thatisthehighesttriumphofthetheologianandthehighestwisdomofthesaint。TheprophetsandthepsalmistsoftheOldTestamentareallfullofthepeacethatGodgavetoHispeopleIsrael。MypeaceIgiveuntoyou，saysourLordalso。PaulalsohastakenupthatpeacethatcomestousthroughthebloodofChrist，andhasmadeithisgrandmessagetousandtoallsinfulandsin-disquietedmen。AndJohnBunyanhasshownhowsureandtrueasuccessoroftheapostlesofChristheis，justinhisportraitofthissweet-naturedgentlemanwhowasnotanativeofMansoul，butwhocamefromthatsamecourtfromwhichEmmanuelHimselfcame。Anditisjustthisoutlandishnessofthissweet-

naturedgentleman；itisjustthisheavenlyoriginanddivineextractionofhisthatmakeshimsometimesandinsomethingstosurpassallearthlyunderstanding。’Iamcomingsomedaysoon，’

saidadivinitystudenttometheotherSabbathnight，’tohaveyouexplainandclearuptheatonementtome。’’Ishallbegladtoseeyou，’Isaid，’butnotonthaterrand。’No。Paulhimselfcouldnotdoit。Paulsaidthattheatonementandthepeaceofitpassedallhisunderstanding。AndJohnBunyansaysherethatnotthePrinceonly，buthisofficerMr。God’s-peacealso，wasnotnativetothetownofMansoul，butcamestraightdownfromheavenintothattown——andwhatcanthemandowhocomethaftertwokingslikePaulandBunyan？IhavenotforgottenmyEdwardswherehesaysthattheexquisitesweetnessofthispeaceisperfectlyagreeabletoreason。As，indeed，soitis。Andyet，ifreasonwillhaveaclearandfinishedandall-roundanswertoallherdifficultiesandobjectionsandfault-findings，Ifearshecannothaveithere。Thetimemaycomewhenourreasonalsoshallbesoenlarged，andsosanctified，andsoexalted，thatsheshallbeablewithallsaintstoseethefullmysteryofthatwhichinthispresentdispensationpassethallunderstanding。Buttillthen，onlyletGod’speaceenterourheartswithGod’sSon，andthenletourheartssayifthatpeacemustnotinsomehighanddeepwaybeaccordingtothehighestandthedeepestreason，sinceitscomingintoourheartshasproducedinourheartsandinourlivessuchreasonable，andright，andharmonious，andpeaceful，andeverywayjoyfulresults。

3。GovernorGod’s-peacehadnotmanyinthetownofMansoultowhomhecouldconfideallhisthoughtsandwithwhomhecouldconsult。Butthereweretwoofficerfriendsofhisstationedinthetownwithwhomhewaseverydayinclosecorrespondence，viz。，theCaptainCredenceandtheCaptainGood-hope。TheirsocloseintimacywillnotbewonderedatwhenitisknownthatthosethreeofficershadallcomeintogetherwithEmmanueltheConqueror。

Thosethreeyoungcaptainshaddonesplendidservice，eachattheheadofhisownbattalion，inthedaysoftheinvasionandtheconquestofMansoul，andtheyhadallhadtheirpresenttitles，andprivileges，andlands，andoffices，patentedtothemonthestrengthoftheirpastservices。TheCaptainCredencehadallalongbeentheconfidentialaide-de-campandsecretaryofthePrince。Indeed，thePrincenevercalledCaptainCredenceaservantatall，butalwaysafriend。ThePrincehadalwaysconveyedhismindaboutallMansoul’smattersfirsttoCaptainCredence，andthenthatconfidentialcaptainconveyedwhateverspeciallyconcernedGod’s-peaceandGood-hopetothoseexcellentandtrustysoldiers。CredencefirsttoldallmatterstoGod’s-peaceandthenthetwosoontalkedoverGood-hopetotheirmindandheart。Somesaythatthethreeofficers，Credence，God’s-peace，andGood-hope，werekin，addsourhistorian，andI，headds，amofthatopiniontoo。AndtobackuphisopinionhetakesanextractoutoftheHerald’sCollegebookswhichrunsthus:’Romans，fifteenthandthirteenth:Now，theGodofhopefillyouwithalljoyandpeaceinbelieving，thatyemayaboundinhope，throughthepoweroftheHolyGhost。’Somesaythethreeofficerswereofkin，andIamofthatopiniontoo。

4。Onaccountbothofhiseminentservicesandhisgreatabilities，thePrincesawitgoodtosetMr。God’s-peaceoverthewholetown。Andthusitwasthatthegovernor’sjurisdictionextendedandheldnotonlyoverthepeopleofthetown，butalsooverallthemagistratesandalltheotherofficersofthetown，suchasmyLordWill-be-will，myLordMayor，Mr。Recorder，Mr。

Mind，andall。Itneededallthegovernor’sauthorityandabilitytokeephisfeetinhisofficeoveralltheotherrulersofthetown，butbyfarhisgreatesttroublealwayswaswiththeRecorder。

OldMr。Conscience，theTownRecorder，hadaverydifficultposttoholdandaverydifficultparttoplayinthatstillsodividedandstillsounsettledtown。Whatwithallthosemurderersandman-

slayers，thievesandprostitutes，skulkersandsecretrebels，ontheonehand，andwithGovernorGod’s-peaceandhissounaccountableandsoautocraticways，ontheotherhand，theRecorder’sofficewasnosinecure。Allthemisdemeanoursandmalpracticesofthetown，——andtheywerehappeningeverydayandeverynight，——wereallreportedtotheRecorder；theywereall，sotosay，chargedhomeupontheRecorder，andhewasheldresponsibleforthemall；tillhisofficewasaperfectlaystallandcesspoolofallthescumandcorruptionofthetown。Andyet，inwouldcomeGovernorGod’s-peace，withouteitherwarningorexplanation，andwoulddemandalltheRecorder’spapers，andproofs，andaffidavits，andwhatnot，ithadcosthimsomuchtroubletogetcollectedandindorsed，andwouldburnthemallbeforetheRecorder’sface，andtohisutterconfusion，humiliation，andsilence。Soautocratic，sodespotic，soabsolute，andnot-to-be-questionedwasGovernorGod’s-peace。TheRecordercouldnotunderstandit，andcouldbarelysubmittoit；myLordMayorcouldnotunderstandit，andhisclerk，Mr。Mind，wouldoftenopposeit；butthereitwas:Mr。

GovernorGod’s-peacewassetoverthemall。

5。Butthethingthatalwaysinthelong-runjustifiedthegovernorshipofMr。God’s-peace，andreconciledalltheotherofficerstohissupremacy，wasthewaythatthecitysettleddownandprosperedunderhisbenignantrule。Alltheotherofficersadmittedthat，somehow，hispromotionandpowerhadbeenthesalvationofMansoul。TheyallextolledtheirPrince’sfar-seeingwisdomintheselection，advancement，andabsoluteseatofMr。

God’s-peace。Anditwouldillhavebecomethemtohavesaidanythingelse；fortheyhadlittleelsetodobutbaskinthesunandenjoythehonoursandtheemolumentsoftheirrespectiveofficesaslongasGovernorGod’s-peaceheldsway，andhadallthingsinthecitytohisownmind。Now，itwasonallhandsadmitted，aswereadagainwithreneweddelight，thattherewerenojars，nochiding，nointerferings，nounfaithfuldoingsinthetownofMansoul；buteverymankeptclosetohisownemployment。Thegentry，theofficers，thesoldiers，andallinplace，observedtheirorders。Andasforthewomenandchildren，theyallfollowedtheirbusinessjoyfully。Theywouldworkandsing，workandsing，frommorningtillnight，sothatquitethroughthetownofMansoulnownothingwastobefoundbutharmony，quietness，joy，andhealth。Whatmorecouldbesaidofanygovernorshipofanytownthanthat？TheHeavenlyCourtitself，outofwhichGovernorGod’s-

peacehadcomedown，wasnotbettergovernedthanthat。Harmony，quietness，joy，andhealth。No；theNewJerusalemitselfwillnotsurpassthat。’Andthislastedallthatsummer。’

CHAPTERXXIII——THEESTABLISHEDCHURCHOFMANSOUL，ANDMR。

CONSCIENCEONEOFHERPARISHMINISTERS

’TheHighestHimselfshallestablishher。’——David。

Theprincesofthisworldestablishchurchessometimesoutofpietyandsometimesoutofpolicy。SometimestheirmotiveisthegoodoftheirpeopleandthegloryofGod，andsometimestheirsolemotiveistobuttressuptheirownRoyalHouse，andtohaveaclergyaroundthemonwhomtheycancount。PrinceEmmanuelhadHismotive，too，insettingupanestablishmentinMansoul。Asthus:

Whenthiswasover，thePrincesentagainfortheeldersofthetownandcommunedwiththemabouttheministrythatHeintendedtoestablishinMansoul。Suchaministryasmightopentothemandmightinstructtheminthethingsthatdidconcerntheirpresentandtheirfuturestate。For，saidHetothem，ofyourselves，unlessyouhaveteachersandguides，youwillnotbeabletoknow，andifyoudonotknow，thenyoucannotdothewillofMyFather。

Atthisnews，whentheeldersofMansoulbroughtittothepeople，thewholetowncamerunningtogether，andallwithoneconsentimploredHisMajestythatHewouldforthwithestablishsuchaministryamongthemasmightteachthembothlawandjudgment，statuteandcommandment，sothattheymightbedocumentedinallgoodandwholesomethings。SoHetoldthemthatHewouldgraciouslygranttheirrequestsandwouldstraightwayestablishsuchaministryamongthem。

Now，Iwillnotenterto-nightontheabstractbenefitsofsuchanEstablishment。IwillrathertakeoneoftheministerswhowaspresentedtooneoftheparishesofMansoul，andshallthusletyouseehowthatStateChurchworkedoutpracticallyinoneofitsministersatanyrate。AndthepreacherandpastorIshallsotakeupwasneitherthebestministerinthetownnortheworst；but，whilealongwaysubordinatetothebest，hewasalsobynomeanstheleast。TheReverendMr。Consciencewasourparishminister’sname；hispeoplesometimescalledhimTheRecorder。

1。Well，then，tobeginwith，theRev。Mr。Consciencewasanativeofthesametowninwhichhisparishchurchnowstood。Iamnotgoingtochallengethewisdomofthepatronwhoappointedhisprotegetothisparticularliving；only，Ihaveknownverygoodministerswhonevergotoverthemisfortuneofhavingbeensettledinthesametowninwhichtheyhadbeenbornandbroughtup。Or，rather，theirpeoplenevergotoverit。Oneexcellentminister，especially，Ionceknew，whosefatherhadbeenaworkingmaninthetown，andhissonhadsometimesassistedhisfatherbeforehewenttocollege，andevenbetweenhiscollegesessions，andthepeopleheafterwardscametoteachcouldnevergetoverthat。Itwasnotwiseinmyfriendtoacceptthatpresentationinthecircumstances，astheeventabundantlyproved。For，wheneverhehadtotakehisstandinhispulpitorinhispastorateagainstanyoftheirevilways，hispeopledefendedthemselvesandretaliatedonhimbyremindinghimthattheyknewhisfatherandhismother，andhadnotforgottenhisownearlydays。Nodoubt，inthecaseofEmmanuelandMansoulanditsminister，therewerecounterbalancingconsiderationsandadvantagesbothtoministerandpeople；butitisnotalwaysso；anditwasnotsointhecaseofmyunfortunatefriend。

Forasmuch，soranthePrince’spresentationpaper，asheisanativeofthetownofMansoul，andthushaspersonalknowledgeofallthelawsandcustomsofthecorporation，thereforehe，thePrince，presentedMr。Conscience。Thatistosay，everymanwhoistobetheministerofaparishshouldmakehisownheartandhisownlifehisfirstparish。Hisownvineyardshouldbehisfirstknowledgeandhisfirstcare。Andthenoutofthatandafterthathewillbeabletospeaktohispeople，andtocorrect，andcounsel，andtakecareofthem。InThomasBoston’sMemoirswecontinuallycomeonentrieslikethis:’PreachedonPs。xlii。5，andmostlyonmyownaccount。’And，again，wereadinthesameinvaluablebookforparishministers，thatitsauthordidnotwondertohearthatgoodhadbeendonebylastSabbath’ssermon，becausehehadpreachedittohimselfandhadgotgoodtohimselfoutofitbeforehetookittothepulpit。BostonkepthiseyeonhimselfinawaythattheministerofMansoulhimselfcouldnothaveexcelled。Till，notinhispulpitworkonly，butinsuchconventional，commonplace，andmonotonousexercisesashisfamilyworship，hesoreadtheScripturesandsosangthepsalmsthathisfamilyworshipwascontinuallyyieldinghimfruitaswellashispublicministry。Asourfamilyworshipandourpublicministrywilldo，too，whenwehavetheeyeandtheheartandtheconsciencethatThomasBostonhad。’Iwenttohearapreacher，’saidPascal，’andIfoundamaninthepulpit。’Well，theparishministerofMansoulwasaman，andsowastheparishministerofEttrick。AndthatwasthereasonthatthepeopleofSimprinandEttricksooftenthoughtthatBostonhadtheminhiseye。Goodpastorashewas，hecouldnothaveeverybodyinhiseye。Buthehadhimselfinhiseye，andthatlethimintotheheartsandthehomesofallhispeople。Hewasatrueman，andthusatrueminister。

2。BothBostonandtheministerofMansoulwerewell-readmenalso；so，indeed，inasmanywords，theirfinebiographiesassureus。Butthatisjustanotherwayofsayingwhathasbeensaidaboutthosetwoministersoverandoveragainalready。WilliamLawneverwasaparishminister。TheEnglishCrownofthatdaywouldnottrusthimwithaparish。ButwhatwastheeverlastinglossofsomeparishinEnglandhasbecometheeverlastinggainofthewholeChurchofChrist。Law’senforcedseclusionfromoutwardministerialactivityonlysethimthemorefreetothatinwardactivitywhichhasbeensuchablessingtosomany，andtosomanyministersespecially。Andastothisofeveryministerbeingwellread，thatmasterinIsraelsays:’Aboveall，letmetellyouthatthebookofbookstoyouisyourownheart，inwhicharewrittenandengraventhedeepestlessonsofdivineinstruction。Learn，therefore，tobedeeplyattentivetothepresenceofGodinyourownhearts，whoisalwaysspeaking，alwaysinstructing，alwaysilluminatingtheheartthatisattentivetoHim。’JonathanEdwardscalledthepoorparishministerofEttrick’atrulygreatdivine。’

ButLawgoesontosay，’Agreatdivineisbutacantexpressionunlessitsignifiesamangreatlyadvancedinthedivinelife。A

greatdivineisonewhoseownexperienceandexampleareademonstrationoftherealityofallthegracesandvirtuesofthegospel。Nodivinehasanymoreofthegospelinhimthanthatwhichprovesitselfbythespirit，theactions，andtheformofhislife:therestisbuthypocrisy，notdivinity。’Letallourparishministers，then，givethemselvestothiskindofreading。

Letthemallaimatadoctor’sdegreeinthedivinityoftheirownhearts。

3。Wearedoneatlast，andwearedoneforever，inScotland，withpatronsandwithpresenters；butIdaresayourmostFreeChurchpeoplewouldbequitewillingtosurrendertheirdear-boughtfranchiseiftheoldplancouldevenyetbemadetoworkinalltheirparishesasitworkedinMansoul。Fornotonlywasthepresentedministerinthiscaseawell-readman；hewasalso，whatthebestoftheScottishpeoplehavealwayslovedandhonoured，aman，asthishistorytestifies，withatongueasbravelyhungashehadaheadfilledwithjudgment。InScotlandwelikeourministertohaveatonguebravelyhung，evenwhenthatisprovedtoourowndespite。Whenanyminister，parishministerorother，isseentotunehispulpit，ourrespectforhimisgone。ThePresbyterianpulpithasbeenproverbiallyhardtotune，anditwillbeanilldaywhenitbecomeseasy。’Hereliesamanwhohadabrowforeverygoodcause。’SoitwasengravenoveroneofBoston’selders。

Andsoisitalways:likepriest，likepeopleinthematterofthehangoftheminister’stongueandintheboldnessoftheelder’sbrow。

’Bravelyhung’isanancientandexcellentexpressionwhichhasseveralshadesofmeaninginBunyan。Butinthepresentinstanceitsmeaningismodifiedandfixedbyjudgment。Abravelyhungtongue；atthesametimetheparishministerofMansoul’stonguewasnotaloosely-hungtongue。Itwasnotablustering，headlong，scolding，untamedtongue。ThepulpitofMansoulwastunedwithjudgment。Hewhofilledthatpulpithadaheadfilledwithjudgment。Thegroundofjudgmentisknowledge，andtheministerofMansoulwasamanofknowledge。Itwashisearlyandever-

increasingknowledgeofhimself，andthusofothermen；andthenitwashisexcellentjudgmentastotheusehewastomakeofthatknowledge；itwashissoundknowledgewhattosay，whentosayit，andhowtosayit，——itwasallthisthatdecidedhisPrincetomakehimtheministerofMansoul。Howexcellentandhowrareagiftisjudgment——judgmentincounsel，judgmentinspeech，andjudgmentinaction！’Iamverylittleserviceablewithreferencetopublicmanagement，’writestheparishministerofEttrick，’beingexceedinglydefectiveinecclesiasticalprudence；buttheLordhasgivenmeapulpitgift，notunacceptable:andwhoknowswhatHemaydowithmeinthatway？’Whoknows，indeed！Now，therearemanyparishministerswhohaveanotunacceptablepulpitgift，andyetwhoarenotcontentwiththat，butarealwaysburyingthatgiftintheearthandrunningawayfromittoattemptapublicmanagementinwhichtheyareexceedinglyandconspicuouslydefective。Now，whydotheydothat？Istheirpulpitandtheirparishnotsphereandopportunityenoughforthem？Mineisasmallparish，saidBoston，butthenitismine。Andasmallparishmaybothrearandoccupyatrulygreatdivine。Letthoseministers，then，whoaredefectiveinecclesiasticalprudencenotbetoomuchcastdown。Ecclesiasticalprudenceisnotineverycasethehighestkindofprudence。Thepresbytery，thesynod，andtheassemblyarenotanyminister’sfirstorbestsphere。Everyminister’sfirstandbestsphereishisparish。Andthepresbyteryisnottheendoftheparish。Theparish，thepastorate，andthepulpitaretheendofbothpresbyteryandsynodandassembly。AsfortheministerofMansoul，hewasawell-readman，andalsoamanofcouragetospeakoutthetruthateveryoccasion，andhehadatongueasbravelyhungashehadaheadfilledwithjudgment。

4。ButtherewasonethingabouttheparishpulpitofMansoulthatalwaysoverpoweredthepeople。Theycouldnotalwaysexplainiteventothemselveswhatitwasthatsometimessoterrifiedthem，and，sometimes，again，soenthralledthem。Theywouldsaysometimesthattheirministerwasmorethanamereman；thathewasaprophetandaseer，andthathisMasterseemedsometimestostandandspeakagaininHisservant。And’seer’wasnotatallaninappropriatenamefortheirminister，sofarasIcancollectoutofsomeremainsofhisthatIhaveseenandsometestimoniesthatI

haveheard。Therewassomethingawfulandoverawing，somethingseer-likeandsupernatural，inthepulpitofMansoul。Sometimestheironchainsinwhichthepreacherclimbedupintothepulpit，andinwhichhebothprayedandpreached，struckachilltoeveryheart；andsometimesthegarmentofsalvationinwhichheshonecarriedalltheirheartscaptive。SomeSabbathmorningstheysawitinhisfaceandhearditinhisvoicethathehadbeenonhisbedinhellalllastnight；andthen，nextSabbath，thosewhocamebacksawhimdescendingintohispulpitfromhisthroneinheaven。

’Yea，thisman’sbrow，liketoatitle-pageForetellsthenatureofatragicvolume。

Thoutremblest，andthewhitenessinthycheekIsapterthanthytonguetotellthineerrand。’

IfyouthinkthatIamexaggeratingandmagnifyingtheparishpulpitofMansoul，takethisoutoftheparishrecordsforyourselves。’Andnow，’youwillreadinoneplace，’itwasadaygloomyanddark，adayofcloudsandthickdarknesswithMansoul。